Panel Chair:
The Honourable Erminie Cohen, Retired Senator
Following a distinguished career as a leading New Brunswick businesswoman, Erminie Cohen was called to the Senate in 1993. While in the Senate she served on numerous committees including the Standing Committee's on National Finance and Social Affairs, Science and Technology. She has led a number of provincial social service and arts organizations as well as co - chaired a national study on poverty. She is the recipient of the Red Cross Humanitarian Award and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of New Brunswick.
Panel Members:
Ms. Françoise Bertrand, President and Director General of the Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec
Ms Françoise Bertrand has been the President of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and a member of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail since 2003. Ms Bertrand was also the Chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) from 1996 to 2001. She held several positions at L'Université du Québec à Montreal (UQAM), including Dean of Resource Management, from 1980 to 1988. She holds a Master's degree in environmental studies from York University.
Mr. William A. MacKinnon, Chief Executive and Senior Partner, KPMG Canada, LLP
Mr. Bill MacKinnon has been the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Partner, KPMG Canada, since 1999. He has long had an interest in community service and social matters, having been a member of the Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age Adults (MISWAA) Task Force and working with community agencies such as the United Way and the Toronto East General Hospital.
Professor W. Craig Riddell, Department of Economics, University of British Columbia
Professor W. Craig Riddell currently holds a Royal Bank Faculty Research Professorship at theUniversity of British Columbia. He is the former Academic Co-Chair of the Canadian Employment Research Forum and past-president of the Canadian Economics Association. He has published a number of papers including: The Role of Credentials in the Canadian Labour Market and Unions and Wage Inequality.
